One Text Could Change Your Super Bowl Week

Redwood City - With tens of thousands of visitors expected to move through San Mateo County during Super Bowl week, local officials are urging travelers and residents to sign up for emergency alerts about weather, traffic, transit and public safety issues.

"When people are traveling or attending large events, conditions can change quickly," said Dr. Shruti Dhapodkar, director of San Mateo County Emergency Management. "Staying informed helps people make better decisions in real time, whether they're heading to the airport, checking into a hotel or moving around the region."

The Bay Area Host Committeeestimates that roughly 90,000 visitors from outside the region will travel to the Bay Area for Super Bowl-related events. When the Bay Area last hosted the Super Bown in 2016, more than one million people visited related events that week. Officials say the surge of visitors, many unfamiliar with local roads and geography, increases the need for clear, local information.

The alert effort is part of a coordinated, three-county public safety approach for Super Bowl week across San Mateo, Santa Clara and San Francisco counties.

"Three counties are working together to deliver consistent, real-time information to visitors and residents during a major event," said Dr. Shruti Dhapodkar, director of San Mateo County Emergency Management. "When a million people are moving through unfamiliar roads and transit systems, clear local information isn't just helpful - it's essential."

How to Stay Informed

San Mateo County:Text SUPERBOWL to 672-83 to receive emergency alerts during Super Bowl activities. You can also sign up online at smcalert.info.

Santa Clara County(home to Levi's Stadium): Text SBLX to 888-777 to get Santa Clara County's emergency alerts for the Super Bowl. This will cover the stadium vicinity as well as countywide alerts.

San Francisco:Text SuperBowlSF to 888-777 to sign up for San Francisco's AlertSF notifications tailored for Super Bowl events in the city. San Francisco will host several Super Bowl week events, and this opt-in ensures you'll receive any urgent alerts specific to the city.

During Super Bowl week, visitors arriving through San Francisco International Airport, guests staying in local hotels, and Bay Area residents traveling between San Francisco and Santa Clara County will all be moving through San Mateo County for Super Bowl-related events and the Feb. 8 game.

And everything occurs at a time of year when rain can lead to localized flooding, road closures and transit delays.

County officials say one way residents and visitors can stay informed is by signing up for San Mateo County's emergency alert system, which provides real-time notifications about severe weather, road closures, evacuation warnings and other urgent information specific to where a person is located.

"While fans cross county lines, alert and warning systems do not. We urge all visitors and community members to text the corresponding keyword to sign up and receive notifications from the county where they are staying, and to check local transit providers such as Caltrain and BART for specific service information," said San Mateo County Sheriff Ken Binder.

Emergency Management officials encourage visitors to build simple habits into their travel plans, such as checking alerts and weather each morning, noting exits and routes when arriving in unfamiliar places and allowing extra time for travel during stormy conditions.

Officials say the same alert system is used year-round to communicate during storms, wildfires, earthquakes and other emergencies.

"We want everyone to be prepared for whatever comes - not just on the field, but throughout their visit," Dhapodkar said. "Think about your personal emergency preparedness. Dial into your senses. And let our alert system be your backup when you're focused on enjoying the game."

Michelle Durand

Chief Communications Officer

650-779-9939